(Reuters) - Panama's top court on Friday ruled the presidential candidacy of ex-President Ricardo Martinelli's former running mate Jose Raul Mulino is constitutional, days before the election.

Jose Raul Mulino joined the race in March as Martinelli's replacement, after Martinelli was removed from the race due to a nearly 11-year sentence for money laundering. Recent polls place Mulino as the favorite to win the May 5 vote.

(Reporting by Natalia Siniawski; editing by Gabriel Araujo)